Automatic stripper shower



July 16, 1963 STREMPEL 3,097,992

AUTOMATIC STRIPPER SHOWER Filed July 7, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l i g '1. Prior Art INVENTOR. EDWARD L. STREMPEL ATTORNEY July 16, 1963 STREMPEL 3,097,992

AUTOMATIC STRIPPER SHOWER Filed July 7, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 EH l E l INVENTOR. EDWARD L. STREMPEL ATTORNEY- July 16, 1963 E. L. STREMPEL AUTOMATIC STRIPPER SHOWER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 7, 1960 INVENTOR. v EDWARD STREMPEL ATTORNEY.

E. L. STREMPEL AUTOMATIC STRIPPER SHOWER July 16, 1963 Filed July '7. 1960 r'liaricllllllllllrllln 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. EDWARD L. STREMPEL ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,097,992 AUTOMATIC STRIPPER SHOWER Edward L. Stre'mpel, Glens Falls, N.Y., assignor to The Sandy Hill Iron & Brass Works, Hudson Falls, N.Y., a

corporation Filed July 7, 1960, Ser. No. 41,380

3 Claims. (Cl. 162-255) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in paper making machines and is directed particularly to a system comprising an automatic stripper shower for use on a Fourdrinier type of machine. It has special relation to the handling of a damaged paper web resulting when a break occurs in the newly formed web during the paper making operation, and insures against the running of same onto the lower reach of the Fourdrinier wire.

The inherent problem is to remove the web from the wire immediately a break occurs and before it comes onto the return wire and possibly runs a ridge in the wire or otherwise damages it. p

In the known prior art, no completely automatic shower, which will actuate as a break occurs to knock the sheet off the wire, is available, the nearest known equivalent to the present invention being a manually-operated quick-opening valve. Constructions heretofore known have the common and obvious objection that they must be'operated continuously, resulting in an increased amount of pressurized shower water being used in the system. Such water must necessarily be removed in some way so as to result in the inevitable and costly loss of valuable fiber starch.

In contradistinction, I have devised a novel means whereby the known objection is overcome. The apparatus hereof obviates the need for a continuously operating shower system, discharging water only during these intervals of necessity when the paper machine is operating other than normally.

The handling of the broke constitutes a major disposal problem, when a break occurs in the web on a machine, operating at the relatively common speeds of many hundred feet per minute, in present day paper manufacture.

My invention is applicable to substantially all types of paper forming machines, and has utility for handling broke of relatively substantial weight and strength, such as paper board or heavyweight kraft paper, which is relatively tough and difficult to handle in sheets of the substantial widths now commonly produced on high speed machines.

The invention is directed to the showering of the formed sheet which, once broken, might tend to wind up and accumulate on the wire. Same must be quickly removed therefrom iior further disposal, such as transfer to the flow box or to a heater or other pulping apparatus tor reconversion to pulp torrn.

Broadly, the invention envisions the flooding of the wire with a supply of shower water through a pinrality of water jets operated simultaneously by a control means which is automatically and instantly responsive to the break in the web.

T he invention resides in the particular arrangement and relationship of the various instrumentalities of an automatic stripper shower, same embracing the concept of a maintenance and control of fluids in conduits, under pressure and responsive to the breaking of a newlyformed web, wherein a static flow condition is maintained to preserve the system in a standby operative condition ready to be actuated into a fully-operative condition immediately the break occurs, all as exemplified in the detailed disclosure hereinafter set forth wherein the 3,097,992 Patented July 16, 1963 ice 2 objects of the invention, defined in paragraphs above and below, will be apparent.

Without intending to place undue limitations upon the scope of the invention beyond what may be required by the state of the prior art, the invention may be briefly described :as including a main or stripper shower tube of a length covering the entire width of a Fourdrinier wire and having a plurality of orifices along its length, in each of which orifices a nozzle of unique design is carried. Certain of the nozzles are operative intermittently, when and as their use is made necessary by the occurrence of the break.

As a further refinement, one or more of the endmost or outermost nozzles, at each extremity of the length of the main or stripper shower tube, may be of such design as to render them operative continuously, so long as the system is functioning, thereby to cover a short distance inwardly along each side of the wire width and there to function as trim knock-off showers.

The plurality of nozzles, intermediate said endm'ost or outermost nozzles, are intermittently opened and closed by a trigger tube for the automatic stripper action, as necessity dictates.

In a broad sense, the outer main shower tube may be considered as carrying a shower fluid under presssur'e and enclosing a diaphragm valve having a multiplicity of pressure relief orifices. The nozzles are disposed radially relative to said tube and project outwardly therefirom and inwardly thereinto. The inner or inlet end of each nozzle is disposed adjacent a window in the wall of an inner trigger housing which carries therewithin an elastomeric resilient trigger tube throughout the entirety of its length. Such tube is expandable under pressure therewithin in manner to effectuate a sealing off of the inner or inlet ends of the nozzles during normal operating conditions, hence the delineating of the inner triggger housing and trigger tube as a diaphragm valve.

Stated in another way, my invention envisions a fluid pressure device incorporating a flexible pressure reponsive fluid elastic liner or membrane assembly within a tube and having pressure responsive diaphragm portions therealong, each juxtaposed adjacent one of the nozzles of the plurality thereof for the establishment of a. plurality of fluid tight seals between the liner and the respective nozzles under the force exerted by a pressurized fluid admitted into the flexible liner. Said membrane is capable of ready displacement and of withstanding great pressures to form an effective normally fluid tight seal for the. plurality of the nozzles.

During normal operating conditions, there is a substantial pressure differential between the shower water within the outer main shower tube (approximately psi.) and the trigger fluid in the inner trigger tube (approximately 1 50 p.s.i.). Pressure within the inner resilient trigger tube, when in excessof the pressure within the shower tube, causes said trigger tube to expand. A suf licient and predetermined differential, said approximately 50 psi. above the shower water pressure in the outer shower tube, is such as to effectuate a distending of the port-ions of the trigger tube adjacent the milled windows of the trigger housing. Same function as a diaphragm to offer a positive sealing ofi' of the nozzles so that passage of the shower fluid within the shower tube outwardly through said nozzles i-s obviated until such is indicated as appropriate.

At the moment of a non-normal operating condition, occasioned by a break in the web being formed, the pressure in the inner trigger tube is reduced usually to atmospheric pressure for the maximum opening, the system hereof eiiectively responds to each condition as the inner tube collapses so that the valve means adjacent each nozzle is automatically rendered operative to permit the discharge of the pressurized shower water through the respective nozzles and outwardly of the shower tube to the operating area.

Another salient feature hereof is that the shower system provides shower water, which is continually available therewithin during the stand-by operation. When called into full operation, the shower water is immediately and simultaneously available at all nozzles across the entire width of the machine.

In prior art constructions, a shower pipe is known to lead up from one side of the paper making machine and thence to extend transversely across the width thereof, a reasonably possible distance of twelve or more feet or so. In such instance, it is to be appreciated that there will be a substantial time lag before the fluid therewithin can reach all of the nozzles across the entire width of the machine. Worse, the wider the machine, obviously the greater the time lag.

As another prime advantage of the present invention, substantial reductions in the dilution in the couch pit of the papermaking machine with a consequent improvement in its save-all efiiciency and in the amount of effluent leaving the mill is achieved.

Further, a significant conservation of fresh water may be achieved herewith. Most paper mills prefer to strip with fresh water, but many employ white water, their supply of fresh water being limited. It is contemplated that the replacement of the known continuous type of stripper shower with the automatic stripper hereof will appreciably reduce such fresh water consumption.

Additionally, it is to be stressed that a substantial reduction in pumping costs is achieved because of the small amount of water required by the system hereof.

Still further, a more positive stripping action can be obtained herewith as higher volumes of water and greater pressures may be reasonably used without throwing the system out of balance, all for the significant reason that the automatic shower hereof actually operates only for the duration of the break.

The elimination of a need for any separate trim showers and supplementary support brackets and piping is also accomplished herewith, the end nozzles being arranged to be open continuously for serving the function of trim showers.

As aforesaid, in the present invention, shower water is under full pressure at all times, and is continuously available at the nozzles should its use be called for. The filling delay, normally encountered in prior art showers, wherein the opening of the shower is effected from one or both ends thereof necessitating the passage of the water therethrough and to the nozzles before delivery therefrom, is herein avoided. It is reiterated, as it bears repeating, that the entire length of the tube hereof continuously carries shower water under pressure so that same is immediately available at each nozzle at all times during operational use.

During what is delineated herein as the shut-01f or closed or stand-by condition, the resilient trigger tube is fully expanded so as effectively to seal off each of the nozzles, save for the aforesaid one or more endmost or outermost nozzles which are not under the control of the trigger tube so as to operate continuously for the trim knockoff shower function.

Still another chief feature of the system hereof relates to the instrumentalities providing for the detection of the break and contemplating one or more fast photo-relays located at one side of, or centrally of, or preferentially at both sides of, the web as it leaves the couch roll.

Other of the chief objects and purposes hereof are to provide advantageous structural and operational features in a device of the class to which reference has been made resulting in an apparatus having the following meritorious characteristics; first, a simplicity in construction and compactness of design and therefore an adaptability to economical manufacture and easy installation in any convenient and desired location on a paper machine; second, a uniqueness in engineering design of coacting parts wherefor the components are coordinated for facile assembly; third, a high degree of efiiciency and dependability in its operational use; fourth, the securement of a higher degree of accuracy of work performed therewith than has heretofore been possible with prior devices known in the art; and fifth, the provision of such other improvements in and relating to shower systems of the type referred to as are hereinafter described and claimed.

Further objects hereof are to provide a shower system conformable to the desiderata of the preceding paragraphs and offering specific improvements in the various operating instrumentalities comprising same, which system is reliable in operation and efiicient in use.

To the end of attaining these objects, and other incidental ends and advantages reasonably appearing, it will be explained that the invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the annexed drawings, and as defined with particularity in the appended claims forming a part hereof.

It will be apparent that the physical embodiments delineated are indicative of but two of the various ways, albeit the preferred exemplifications, in which the principles of the invention may be employed and in which the component parts may be combined and arranged. Same are submitted as best known embodiments of the invention, in accordance with the patent statutes, and are given with a View to illustrating and explaining the precise nature of the principles of the invention and their embodiments for practical use, in order that others, skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, may be enabled to adapt and modify them in still other embodiments, variations and modifications, each as may be best adapted to the conditions of any particular use.

Said embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of, nor limiting of, the spirit or scope hereof. The precise construction of the figures of the drawings need not be slavishly followed as, of course, certain components may have to be adapted or modified in accordance with any specific use to which the invention is to be put. Such adaptations and/or modifications should be and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the below subjoined claims, there being no intent to have this invention limited to or circumscribed by any such details.

The novel features which -I consider to be characteristic of my invention, as to its construction and organization and as to its method of operation, will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description forming a part of this specification, and the illustrations in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic or schematic view showing a portion of a papermaking machine, in side elevation, equipped with a shower mechanism for purposes of illustrating the common paper making problem envisioned for correction herewith;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing a portion of a papermaking machine equipped with the apparatus of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic or schematic view showing details of the piping and wiring of the apparatus hereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged broken side elevational view, partly in section, showing the shower tube of the invention and its associated components;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view taken from the left of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of FIG. 4;

'FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a portion of a paper making machine with a modified form of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the left hand end of the shower tube shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9' is an enlarged sectional view of the right hand end of the trigger tube assembly of the invention.

In order that the general relation and utility of the apparatus and system may be better understood, it will be helpful to an understanding of my invention first to briefly consider some of the more important features and aspects thereof, so that same may be kept in mind during the subsequent reading of the detailed description- Accordingly, it is first to be noted, in FIG. 1, that my invention may be embodied in any device incorporating the conventional endless wire of a Fourdrinier paper machine and its associated parts. The broad problem seeking solution and the generally accepted procedure for solvingthe problem will first be discussed with reference to said FIG. 1. Thereafter, a description of my invention, as advantageously incorporated as an integral part of a paper machine for effectuatingthat solution, will be discussed.

In FIG. 1, the table or frame of the machine is indicated generally as comprising a plurality of uprights 10 supporting a table-like horizontal portion 12. Movably supported on the frame is the endless f-oraminous member or forming member 14 comprising a belt of wire screen, designated as the forming wire, and which may be entrained about a driven couch roll 16, breast roll 17 and a plurality of horizontally disposed table rolls 18 therebetween, all rotatably mounted on the table or frame. Said forming wire is mounted to move in a closed fixed path so that its upper reach moves along a substantially horizontal planar path in the direction of arrow a and its lower or return reachpasses thereunder in a similar path in the opposite direction.

A flow box 19, adapted to receive pulp stock from a suitable source of supply, is positioned adjacent said breast roll, and has a trough portion for directing the discharge of pulp stock onto the upper reach of the forming wire, all in known manner.

The water of the pulp stock passes rapidly through the forming wire while the fibers contained in the water are deposited thereupon. Said water flows between the rollers and is caught in a trough (not shown) supported on a frame beneath the forming wire from which it may be conducted away by any suitable conduit.

Suction boxes V may be positioned below the upper reach of the forming wire in manner whereby a direct suction is exerted upon the web W being formed so as to accelerate the withdrawal of the water therefrom.

The web progressively varies in thickness from the beginning of the. horizontal course to a point where the major portion of the liquid carrier of the pulp stock has been drained through the wire and the major portion of the. pulp has been deposited thereon asa layer of fibers which is withdrawn therefrom at the couch roll in the form of a homogeneous web in which the fibers are interlaced in every direction. The web is normally passed from the wire as same moves around the couch roll 16 toward a felt passing around a first roll of a, first press felt roll as it is led toward the drying section of the paper making machine.

Under conditions of a break in the web W, upon leaving the forming wire 14, the web exhibits a tendency to cling to said wire, to pass around the couch roll 16 therewith, and to cling to the lower reach of the wire as it moves rearwardly back toward the breast roll 17, all instead of leaving the wire at the couch roll, as is normal.

Accordingly, between the reaches of the wire, a shower is normally located comprising a horizontally disposed elongated shower tube 30 which extends transverse to and across the width of the wire. Said shower tube carries a plurality of downwardly projecting high speed jet fan nozzles arranged in spaced positions horizontally of the tube for directing spread-out discharges of the shower water therewithin toward the web of broke which may be travelingwith the wire.

The shower is continuously running so as to effect a 6 constant showering of the lower reach of the wire. Accordingly, a large amount of shower water is needlessly consumed, all. so as to present a tremendous removal problem, not to mention that serious losses in valuable fibrous material whichare suffered.

Contrariwise, in some prior 'art systems, the shower may be operated only when an actual break occurs, in which instance it is manually set into operation by means of a quick-opening valve actuated by the machine operator, provided of course that he is in attendance at the machine and-is alerted.

With specific reference to the invention hereof, same envisions a means of detecting a break in the web as it leaves the couch roll and associated equipment to automatically turn on the shower to intercept the rearwardly moving web knocking it free of the wire thus protecting the machine and transferring the broke to a pit or other system where it may be recovered.

I have shown, in FIG. 2, a papermaking machine which will be understood to include a table or frame 112, a foraminous wire 114, a couch roll 116, a breast roll 117, and a plurality of table rolls 118.

Additionally, I have shown a plurality of felt rolls and a press roll 122 and a felt 124 of a first press section of a paper making machine. The felt is entrained around the felt rolls 120 in known manner so as to move in the direction of arrow b. For the sake of simplicity, I have not shown the conventional flow box and its related components, same not forming a part of this invention.

A shower, indicated generally by S in FIG. 2, is dis posed transverse to and across the width of the wire 114 between the upper and lower reaches thereof, same being of such length as to be extendable thereacross and to be supported upwardly of the lower reach at opposite sides thereof as by heads (to be described) which may rest upon upwardly extending bases B at opposite sides of the machine.

It is now desired to make specific reference to FIG. 4 where the shower tube of the invention is illustrated in detail.

An outside or main shower tube 130, preferentially a stainless steel tube, is supported at the opposite sides of the wire of the papermaking machine as aforementioned by a pair of oppositely-disposed stationary brackets each comprising a horizontally-disposed base block 132 mounted upon a base B and a vertically-disposed lower half 134 of a saddle and a vertically-disposed upper half 136. of the saddle stacked above said lower half, said saddle halves extending upwardly of said base block and being alignable therewith.

In each case, the lower half 134 of the saddle is fixed to its respective base block 132 as by upwardly extending bolts 138 threadedly engaged within lower half 134 and the head of these bolts 138 clamping base block 132 to lower half 134.

The respective lower and upper halves of each saddle are so configured as to provide a central transversely extending opening therethrough and are secured to each other as by vertically extending bolts 140 passing through openings in said members on opposite sides of said central opening.

At the right hand end of the shower tube 130, as viewed in FIG. 4, a transversely extending shower end cap is held in the opening of the saddle so as to allow an inwardly extending inner end portion to be receivable within the complemental bore of the shower tube in nesting relation, said members being held rigidly secured to each other in sealed relationship as by bolts 152 and a yieldable O ring 154 seated in an appropriate annular groove on the inner end portion of the shower end cap 150.

A central opening extends through the shower end cap 150 for the passage of the shower water therethrough and through the main shower tube as will more fully appear hereinafter.

It will be appreciated that the shower tube functions as a header pipe and is connected at one end thereof through the shower end cap 150 by a supply pipe to a suitable pressure pump and the mills supply of shower water all subsequently to be referred to. Shower water is delivered to the shower .tube at the said one end and is held therein under pressure.

At the left hand end of the main shower tube, as viewed in FIG. 4, a transversely extending trigger end cap 170 is held in the opening of its respective saddle so as to have an inwardly extending inner end portion which is receivable in nesting relation within the complemental bore of the main shower tube, said members being held rigidly secured to each other in sealed relationship as by bolts 172 and there being a yieldable ring 174 therebetween.

An annular trigger housing adapter 196 is provided with a centrally-disposed forwardly-projecting hub or nose 192, through which nose an opening 194 extends, affording communication within a trigger housing, subsequently to be described.

The adapter 1% serves as a fluid coupling to the trigger housing liner 280 and by means of the screws 196 which pass through holes in the adapter 1% and are threadedly engaged in the trigger end cap 170 is made to compress the liner 280 against the housing 260 to form a high pressure fluid tight seal.

The outer periphery of the shower tube 130 is provided with a multiplicity of aligned horizontally-spaced nozzle openings or windows bored therethrough along the length thereof, each opening being adapted to receive a shower nozzle, generally indicated by 210, and to hold same in a radially extending direction.

Each said shower nozzle 210 includes an insert or bushing 212 which may be press fitted into its respective nozzle opening in the shower tube and is disposed circumjacent a grooved or knurled neck 214 of a nozzle body 216, the said neck being seated within its respective bushing as by a press fit. The insert 212 preferentially will be formed of plastic, such as nylon, so that it may in effect be clinched into the shower tube by the expansion due to the press fits and by virtue of its characteristic swelling in water to obviate leakage. The inner end of the nozzle body 216 has an uppermost annular lip 218 serving as a seat for the seating thereon of the trigger tube housing liner or trigger tube, as will hereafter appear.

The outer end of the nozzle body is enclosed by a fan or other type of nozzle disc 220 to provide the desired orifice for giving the spreading effect, said nozzle disc being held relative to its nozzle body by means of a nozzle cap 222 which may be press fitted onto or otherwise secured to the nozzle body.

:Within the main shower tube 130 and concentric therewith, a tubular trigger tube housing 260, of smaller diameter and preferentially formed of stainless steel, is disposed.

The trigger end of said trigger tube housing, as viewed at the left in FIG. 4, is extendable through a central opening in the trigger end cap 179 and is connected to and is receivable over the hub or nose 192 of the trigger housing adapted 1%. Set screws 173 are provided in the trigger end cap 170 whereby the trigger tube housing 260 may be positioned relative to said member 170.

An 0 ring 261 is disposed circumjacent the trigger tube housing and insures the sealing oif of the main shower tube at the point where the trigger tube housing extends into the trigger end cap 170.

The shower end of the trigger tube housing, as viewed at the right in FIG. 4, is provided with a centering plug 262 which is disposed within the end of the trigger tube. A coupling member 264 is soldered or otherwise joined to the end of the housing 260 and is disposed circumjacent the centering plug 262. Set screws 266 hold the plug 262 tightly into the end of the housing 260 comprising the trigger tube 280 to form a high pressure fluid tight seal.

Said trigger tube housing 260 is rigidly held relative to the outer shower tube as by a plurality of spaced spiders 270 in conventional manner. The spiders support the trigger tube housing at spaced intervals longitudinally of the shower tube.

Through the wall of said trigger tube housing 260, a plurality of aligned horizontally-spaced pressure relief orifices or windows are milled so as to be alignable each with one of the shower nozzles 210 of the main shower tube.

An interior flexible or elastic liner or tube 280, which I define as a trigger tube, and comprising a fluid-tight flexible member or sack, being round or flat in its cross section as may be desired, and having an open end at one trigger end thereof and a blind end at the opposite shower end thereof, is snugly receivable within and throughout the length of the trigger tube housing which serves as a sleeve therearound.

At the left hand end of the trigger tube housing as viewed in FIG. 4, the respective end of the tube or liner 280 may, if desired, extend outwardly of and beyond the trigger tube housing so as to flare outwardly around the inner end of the nose 192 and thus insure a tighter seal.

At the right hand end of the trigger tube housing, as viewed in FIG. 4, the respective end of the liner 280 is tightly gripped between the centering plug 262 and the inner wall of the coupling member 264.

The trigger tube assembly, it will be understood, comprises the trigger tube housing 260 with the orifices therethrough at spaced intervals therealong and the flexible tube 280 therewithin and having a closed end adjacent the shower end of said housing and an open end at the trigger end of said housing, through which open end a fluid may be introduced thereinto under a predetermined pressure.

:The liner 2% is preferably formed of rubber or other impermeable substance, which may, if desired, be reinforced for limiting the elasticity thereof. An ability to stretch circumferentially but not axially is an obvious desideratum in this liner. It must be capable of displacements in order to allow for the range of movement contemplated in the valve function of the mechanism and, at the same time, it must be capable of withstanding the pressures exerted by the pressurized hydraulic fluid admitted thereinto. It must be able to distend or flex at these portions of its circumference adjacent the windows or orifices of said housing so as to extend outwardly therethrough.

The fluid pressure within the trigger tube assembly maintains the trigger tube concentrically aligned with respect to its housing, it embracing and being supported circumferentially by the inner wall of the housing while the portions thereof, adjacent the windows, distend outwardly therethrough (the windows themselves and the inner ends of the nozzles limiting the expansion of the trigger tube) and embrace the inner ends or months of the nozzle bodies disposed adjacent said windows.

The particular composition of the trigger tube is selected for its resistance to decomposition under exposure to the pressurized fluid therein contained and to the shower water within the shower tube, its ability to withstand fiexure over long periods of time without deterioration, its impentrability to fluids under pressure, its ability to form a fluid tight seal with the lips of the nozzle bodies against which it abuts, and its strength so as to avoid ripping under shock loads due to fatigue resulting from constant flexure in response to variations of the applied control pressure.

One or more of the nozzles at the opposite ends of the main shower tube may be provided with shortened stems such as 216 and with no milled openings in the housing 260 adjacent their positions, shown in FIG. 4,

so that contact with the trigger tube assembly is precluded, wherefore the showering action thereof is continuous so long as the system is operative.

When the main shower tube 130 is'in the operative position, the shower water passing thereinto passes outwardly therefrom, in relatively minor quantities, through the short stem or knock off nozzles 216 only.

Satisfactory results have been obtained with the nozzles 210 being spaced about 2 inches apart along the length of the shower tube where same is about 3 inches in diameter in connection with an associated high pressure type pump for maintaining a pressure of approximately 80 pounds per square inch in said shower tube.

Fluid under a pressure of greater than the normal mill pressure is led into the resilient trigger tube 280 by a means hereinafter to be described. Normal mill pressure may approximate 80-100 p.s.i. while the pressure envisioned for use within said. resilient trigger tube will approximate 130-l50'p.s.i.

It is also to be noted that most mills will have air available under relatively high pressures, often as high as 150 p.s.i. When such is the case, the mill air line may be used to supply the pressure within the trigger tube 280 with much simplification of'the system.

The action of the higher pressure within said trigger tube serves to expand the wall thereof outwardly in such manner that portions or said tube will distend through the windows of the trigger tube housing closing off the shower by bearing against and sealing off the inner ends of each of the shower nozzle bodies so that none of the showerwater within the outside shower tube can flow through the respective shower nozzle bodies.

The control mechanism of the structure may be contained within a console cabinet 300, shown in FIG. 2', and installed at the cfiront or back of the papermaking machine, as convenience may dictate.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated the relation of the various components in a typical lfiorm of the automatic shower system. Each of the components, other than the automatic shower tube assembly, shown in detail in FIG. 4, is known to the art and therefiore is described only in its relation to other components to provide a complete operable system.

The photo-relay assembly will now be described, there being one or more fast photo-relays located at one side of, or at the center of, or preferentially at both sides of, the sheet as it leaves the couch roll.

This photo-relay assembly comprises a photo detector and lamp or light source. If the ambient light striking the web as it leaves the couch roll is normally high, no additional light source is required.

The phototube is focused upon the formed sheet and the light of the lamp directed toward the sheet is reflected back to it.

If there is a break, the phototube through a thyratron and relay deenengizes a solenoid valve in the trigger line turning the shower on. This takes place in about A second. The shower then remains on until the machine operator pushes the Reset button.

Light sources 312 and 314 powered by connections 316 and 318 respectively leading to a control circuit panel 330 are arranged in manner to illuminate the web or sheet W. Associated with these light sources are photodetectors 322 and- 324 respectively which are connected to the controlcircuit 330 by means of connections 326 and 328 respectively The photodetect-ors are located in manner to receive the light projected onto the web W and reflected therefrom.

When. light of sufiicient intensity is received thereby, same indicates the presence of the sheet thcrebelow by means of electrical signals originating at the detectors and passing through the connections 326 and 328 to the control circuit panel 330.

These circuits are arranged so that the presence of a reflected light at the detectors will energize a relay 10 r (not shown) so as to actuate a solenoid valve 332 con:- nected to said control circuit panel 330 by connections 334' to efiectuate the actuation of a pressure reservoir 336. connected. by conduit 33-8 to the trigger tube within the main shower tube to provide the high pressure fluid to-seal oil. all nozzle bodies thatare designed to be automatically controlled in said shower tube.

When the sheet is not under the detectors 322 and 324, as is the case. of a break, the signal, due to the reduced light intensity, causes the deenengization of the solenoid valve 332 andv causes the connection: of con duit 338 to the exhaust line 340. The said solenoidyalve is of the fast-acting type for efiectuating the trigger tube release and accomplishing practically instantaneous shower action by the release of the pressure within the trigger tube within the main shower tube thereby simultaneously opening all of the nozzles in the main shower tube. It is conceivable that by means of such fast-acting, photocells, circuits and solenoid valve,shower water will be discharged from the nozzles within A of a second following the detection of a break by the photodetectors.

That is to say, immediately the system is actuated by a break in the paper web, the resilient trigger tube is collapsed or relaxed through a loss of pressure therethrough whereupon the shower water under the greater pressure within the outside or shower tube is enabled. to pass trom the tube outwardly through the respective nozzles thereof, the action taking place essentially. instantaneously at each nozzle throughout the length thereof and across the width of the wire.

Immediately the apparatus is triggered by the break, then the fluid within the trigger tube and the reservoir is lost, same representing only a very small and negligible sacrifice.

The main shower water, as distinguished :from the con,- trol water, is fed from a pipe 344 through a fitting 346 to the main shower tube. The control water is fed from a pipe 350 to the booster pump 360 which maintains a desired pressure in the pressure reservoir 336. A pressure switch 361 is actuated by the pressure in the pressure reservoir 336 to motivate pump 360 whenever the pressure falls below a. preset value. The incoming electrical power lines 370 lead through a main. switch 372 to the control circuit panel 330 and the pressure switch 361.

The booster pump 360 does not run after the pressure is up to its preset value whatever same may be, as for example p.s.i. The pressure switch 361 shuts the pump 360 ch as soon as this pressure is attained. Any drop in pressure of a 10 or 20 p.s.i. differential will actuate the switch 361' to turn on the pump and restore the pressure to 15.0 p.s.i.

Terminals 380 are provided so that the shower may be actuated by some external control device. For instance, it might be desirable, as a safety device, to have the shower actuated by a loss of vacuum on the first press roll, in which case a suitable pressure switch could be connected to provide asignal to the terminals, 380;

A warning signal, such as a born or lgong 382 connected to the control circuit panel 330 as by connections 384 may be provided to give an audible signal indicating a break. The Signal, through terminals 386 may be used to actuate other indicators, as may be desired. The signal 382 is most conveniently actuated by contacts on the same relay that controls the solenoid valve 332'.

The mechanism operates automatically when the break occurs so that the shower goes on.. The shower stays on until a manual reset button is depressed. Such depression resets the control circuits in their normal operation condition. The shower then remains off until a new break is detected.

By such means, operators who are trouble-d with an excess of water in their system and who are faced with a need tor purchasing thickening equipment, are presented 1 1 the possibility of doing without thickeners inasmuch as, herewith, they will not 'be putting the objectionable water into their system if they are not required to run a stripper shower continuously.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modification in the location of a light 312' and a photodetector 322'.

If the sheet is of a dark color, so that its reflective powers are relatively poor, it may be desirable to mount a light source 312 below the sheet and a detector 322 above. This also serves to produce a reverse indication in that an increase in the intensity of the light received by the detector will indicate the break. Therefore, the circuits must be modified so that a low intensity actuates the solenoid valve to shut off the nozzles while a high intensity releases the trigger tube to the exhaust so as to open the nozzles.

The control fluid could be high pressure air from the main air system of the mill, in which case the pump reservoir and pressure switch 205 could be eliminated. A disadvantage in same is that the action of the trigger tube will not be quite as fast inasmuch as the air is compressible and therefore a greater volume must be discharged so as to release the pressure in the trigger tube.

The booster pump and motor therefor provide the high pressure to the trigger fluid. Said trigger fluid may involve a quantity of only a few quarts within the resilient trigger tube and a reservoir communicating therewith, such a relatively small amount being all that is required for filling the tube and the supporting reservoir and for maintaining the desired pressure in the resilient tube.

The expansion of the trigger tube is accomplished by means of the booster pump having a capacity for supplying a hydraulic fluid to the trigger tube under pressure approximating 50 pounds per square inch over and in excess of the shower water pressure within the outer shower tube.

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is considered unnecessary.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principles of operation of my invention together with apparatus which I now believe to represent the best embodiments thereof, but again desire to have it understood that the forms of apparatus shown and described are only illustrative and that my invention may be carried out by other arrangement. That is, although my invention has been specifically described and illustrated herein with particular reference to the preferred forms, it should be appreciated that its utility and application extend beyond the particular type illustrated.

The protection which is sought for this invention is covered by the language of the above specification and the spirit represented thereby and same is limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a stripper shower comprising, a main shower tube providing an outer shower chamber operative under a continuous pressure of shower water therein, a plurality of jet nozzles radially disposed relative to said main shower tube, a trigger housing disposed within said main shower tube and containing a flexible pressure responsive diaphragm having a plurality of regions of flexure each adjacent a pressure relief orifice in said trigger housing and aligned relative to one of the jet nozzles of said plurality thereof, said jet nozzles extending from approximately the circumference of said trigger housing outwardly to the circumference of said main shower tube,

said main shower tube and the diaphragm of said trigger housing receiving pressurized fluids introduced thereto, the diaphragm of said trigger housing being extended in the regions of fiexure in one direction while the pressure condition within said diaphragm remains in excess of the pressure condition within said shower tube for closing off the jet nozzles of said plurality thereof and being released from the extended direction while the pressure condition within said diaphragm is decreased for opening the jet nozzles of said plurality thereof.

2. Apparatus for use in showering a broken web on a papermaking machine comprising, a shower tube carrying a pressurized supply of shower water and supported adjacent a location on the paper making machine where the broken web accumulates, a plurality of jet nozzles carried by said shower tube in positions to discharge the shower Water therefrom towards the broken web, and automatic means for opening the said jet nozzles for the discharge of the pressurized shower water within said shower tube onto the broken web constituting a flexible pressure responsive diaphragm disposed within a trigger housing within said shower tube, the diaphragm of said automatic means having a plurality of regions of flexure each adjacent a pressure relief orifice in the trigger housing of said automatic means and being aligned to one of said jet nozzles and being extended as pressure conditions therewithin vary for the actuation of said jet nozzles, said jet nozzles each extending from approximately the circumference of said trigger housing to outwardly of said main shower tube.

3. Apparatus for use in showering a broken web on a papermaking machine comprising, a shower tube carrying a pressurized supply of shower water and supported adjacent a location on the papermaking machine where the broken web accumulates, a trigger housing disposed within said main shower tube and having a plurality of pressure relief orifices and containing a flexible pressure responsive diaphragm having a plurality of regions of flexure, said shower tube and diaphragm receiving pressurized fluids thereinto, a plurality of jet nozzles carried by said shower tube and each being aligned with one of the pressure relief orifices of said trigger housing and being in position to discharge the shower water from said jet nozzles towards the broken web, said diaphragm being extended in the regions of fiexure in one direction while the pressure condition within said diaphragm remains in excess of the pressure condition within said shower tube for closing off the jet nozzles of said plurality thereof, each jet nozzle of said plurality thereof extending from approximately the circumference of said trigger housing outwardly to the circumference of said main shower tube the flexing of the regions of flexure of said diaphragm adjacent the pressure relief orifices serving to actuate the respective jet nozzle of said plurality thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,180,807 Vedder Apr. 25, 1916 1,634,885 Peschl July 5, 1927 1,692,112 Cram Nov. 20, 1928 1,945,118 McVicker et al. Jan. 30, 1934 2,667,106 Hyman et al Jan. 26, 1954 2,863,698 Richards Dec. 9, 1958 2,864,284 Proffen Dec. 16, 1958 2,913,147 Johnson et al. Nov. 17, 1959 2,954,082 Moore Sept. 27, 1960 3,019,815 Lenardon et a1 Feb. 6, 1962 

1. APPARATUS FOR USE IN SHOWERING A BROKEN WEB ON A PAPERMAKING MACHINE COMPRISING, A SHOWER TUBE CARRYING A PRESSURIZED SUPPLY OF SHOWER WATER AND SUPPORTED ADJACENT A LOCATION ON THE PAPER MAKING MACHINE WHERE THE BROKEN WEB ACCUMULATES, A PLURALITY OF JET NOZZLES CARRIED BY SAID SHOWER TUBE IN POSITIONS TO DISCHARGE THE SHOWER MEANS FOR OPENING THE SAID JET NOZZLE FOR THE AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR OPENING THE SAID JET NOZZLES FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THE PRESSURIZED SHOWER WATER WITHIN SAID SHOWER TUBE ONTO THE BROKEN WEB CONSTITUTING A FLEXIBLE PRESSURE RESPONSIVE DIAPHRAGM DISPOSED WITHIN A TRIGGER HOUSING WITHIN SAID SHOWER TUBE, THE DIAPHRAGM OF SAID AUTOMATIC MEANS HAVING A PLURALITY OF REGIONS OF FLEXURE EACH ADJACENT A PRESSURE RELIEF ORIFIEC IN THE TRIGGER HOUSING OF SAID AUTOMATIC MEANS AND BEING ALIGNED TO ONE OF SAID JET NOZZLES AND BEING EXTENDED AS PRESSURE CONDITIONS THEREWITHIN VARY FOR THE ACTUATION OF SAID JET NOZZLES, SAID JET NOZZLES EACH EXTENDING FROM APPROXIMATELY THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF SAID TRIGGER HOUSING TO OUTWARDLY OF SAIDR MAIN SHOWER TUBE. 